Nainggolan on Inter’s pressure, Brozovic’s cigarette and Perisic’s future

Radja Nainggolan suggested that Milan ‘are inferior to Inter’ despite them sitting two points ahead with two games to go.

The Rossoneri can put the pressure on their intercity rivals this evening if they pick up a home win over Atalanta, who have looked incredibly inconsistent in the second half of this season.

The Nerazzurri will face relegation candidates Cagliari in Sardinia, a match that will surely prove tougher than it seems on paper. A win for Milan and draw or loss for Inter secures the Scudetto for Stefano Pioli’s side today.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Nainggolan first discussed tonight’s match between Cagliari and Inter, and who he’d prefer to win.

“I would be happy with the Inter Scudetto, but I would be overjoyed if Cagliari were saved. If, however, I have to choose, I say Rossoblu. The two teams should only blame themselves…

“A lot of mistakes were made in Sardinia and now they are being paid for. Inter threw away a good lead and they have to chase with more pressure.

“After beating Juve, immediately letting Milan pick up the Scudetto would be a double defeat for the club. Fortunately, the Coppa Italia has arrived.”

The Belgian looked at the remaining games for both Milanese clubs as the season draws to a close.

“Inter’s schedule is better, they can score six points. Atalanta are more dangerous for Milan, you don’t know how you’ll catch them, even if they have dropped a little compared to other years.

“In any case, Milan are inferior to Inter and, if they make it, it would be thanks to the coach. I had Pioli at Piacenza, he launched me like he did Tonali, he knows how to make players feel important.”

He commented on the photo showing Marcelo Brozovic smoking a cigarette.

“Definitely, he fires you up. Did you see the nice photo of Brozo smoking the other night? Had I taken it, I would have been slaughtered, but that’s just hypocrisy. What’s wrong with having a cigarette in company if you’re running on the pitch? It makes a triumph even more beautiful.”

Nainggolan then gave his thoughts on Ivan Perisic, who scored a brace in the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday.

“Perisic! In these two years at full-back he has become an embarrassing, unbelievable player. Inter had to renew Brozo and him at all costs and as soon as possible, with the former they did, with the latter they didn’t and I can’t explain it.

“Now if he leaves, maybe even for Juve, it would be the club’s problem and certainly not Ivan’s, he’s a professional until the end.”

He touched on the mindset of Nicolo Barella ahead of Cagliari’s desperate bid to avoid relegation.

“I don’t know what I would do in his place, maybe I wouldn’t have played it because it’s easier….

“I know Nicolò, I know how much he loves Cagliari, but he has to do his job, look for the Scudetto. That’s right. For sure, it won’t be easy, it’ll be in his head.”

Finally, Nainggolan discussed if he could’ve been there to help the team avoid relegation.

“Well, they decided that. I was looking forward to staying, but if you change the plan at the last minute, then bye-bye. It burns me because I was true to my word, but now I want them to be saved.”

Nainggolan on Inter’s pressure, Brozovic’s cigarette and Perisic’s future

Radja Nainggolan suggested that Milan ‘are inferior to Inter’ despite them sitting two points ahead with two games to go.

The Rossoneri can put the pressure on their intercity rivals this evening if they pick up a home win over Atalanta, who have looked incredibly inconsistent in the second half of this season.

The Nerazzurri will face relegation candidates Cagliari in Sardinia, a match that will surely prove tougher than it seems on paper. A win for Milan and draw or loss for Inter secures the Scudetto for Stefano Pioli’s side today.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Nainggolan first discussed tonight’s match between Cagliari and Inter, and who he’d prefer to win.

“I would be happy with the Inter Scudetto, but I would be overjoyed if Cagliari were saved. If, however, I have to choose, I say Rossoblu. The two teams should only blame themselves…

“A lot of mistakes were made in Sardinia and now they are being paid for. Inter threw away a good lead and they have to chase with more pressure.

“After beating Juve, immediately letting Milan pick up the Scudetto would be a double defeat for the club. Fortunately, the Coppa Italia has arrived.”

The Belgian looked at the remaining games for both Milanese clubs as the season draws to a close.

“Inter’s schedule is better, they can score six points. Atalanta are more dangerous for Milan, you don’t know how you’ll catch them, even if they have dropped a little compared to other years.

“In any case, Milan are inferior to Inter and, if they make it, it would be thanks to the coach. I had Pioli at Piacenza, he launched me like he did Tonali, he knows how to make players feel important.”

He commented on the photo showing Marcelo Brozovic smoking a cigarette.

“Definitely, he fires you up. Did you see the nice photo of Brozo smoking the other night? Had I taken it, I would have been slaughtered, but that’s just hypocrisy. What’s wrong with having a cigarette in company if you’re running on the pitch? It makes a triumph even more beautiful.”

Nainggolan then gave his thoughts on Ivan Perisic, who scored a brace in the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday.

“Perisic! In these two years at full-back he has become an embarrassing, unbelievable player. Inter had to renew Brozo and him at all costs and as soon as possible, with the former they did, with the latter they didn’t and I can’t explain it.

“Now if he leaves, maybe even for Juve, it would be the club’s problem and certainly not Ivan’s, he’s a professional until the end.”

He touched on the mindset of Nicolo Barella ahead of Cagliari’s desperate bid to avoid relegation.

“I don’t know what I would do in his place, maybe I wouldn’t have played it because it’s easier….

“I know Nicolò, I know how much he loves Cagliari, but he has to do his job, look for the Scudetto. That’s right. For sure, it won’t be easy, it’ll be in his head.”

Finally, Nainggolan discussed if he could’ve been there to help the team avoid relegation.

“Well, they decided that. I was looking forward to staying, but if you change the plan at the last minute, then bye-bye. It burns me because I was true to my word, but now I want them to be saved.”

Nainggolan on Inter’s pressure, Brozovic’s cigarette and Perisic’s future

Radja Nainggolan suggested that Milan ‘are inferior to Inter’ despite them sitting two points ahead with two games to go.

The Rossoneri can put the pressure on their intercity rivals this evening if they pick up a home win over Atalanta, who have looked incredibly inconsistent in the second half of this season.

The Nerazzurri will face relegation candidates Cagliari in Sardinia, a match that will surely prove tougher than it seems on paper. A win for Milan and draw or loss for Inter secures the Scudetto for Stefano Pioli’s side today.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Nainggolan first discussed tonight’s match between Cagliari and Inter, and who he’d prefer to win.

“I would be happy with the Inter Scudetto, but I would be overjoyed if Cagliari were saved. If, however, I have to choose, I say Rossoblu. The two teams should only blame themselves…

“A lot of mistakes were made in Sardinia and now they are being paid for. Inter threw away a good lead and they have to chase with more pressure.

“After beating Juve, immediately letting Milan pick up the Scudetto would be a double defeat for the club. Fortunately, the Coppa Italia has arrived.”

The Belgian looked at the remaining games for both Milanese clubs as the season draws to a close.

“Inter’s schedule is better, they can score six points. Atalanta are more dangerous for Milan, you don’t know how you’ll catch them, even if they have dropped a little compared to other years.

“In any case, Milan are inferior to Inter and, if they make it, it would be thanks to the coach. I had Pioli at Piacenza, he launched me like he did Tonali, he knows how to make players feel important.”

He commented on the photo showing Marcelo Brozovic smoking a cigarette.

“Definitely, he fires you up. Did you see the nice photo of Brozo smoking the other night? Had I taken it, I would have been slaughtered, but that’s just hypocrisy. What’s wrong with having a cigarette in company if you’re running on the pitch? It makes a triumph even more beautiful.”

Nainggolan then gave his thoughts on Ivan Perisic, who scored a brace in the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday.

“Perisic! In these two years at full-back he has become an embarrassing, unbelievable player. Inter had to renew Brozo and him at all costs and as soon as possible, with the former they did, with the latter they didn’t and I can’t explain it.

“Now if he leaves, maybe even for Juve, it would be the club’s problem and certainly not Ivan’s, he’s a professional until the end.”

He touched on the mindset of Nicolo Barella ahead of Cagliari’s desperate bid to avoid relegation.

“I don’t know what I would do in his place, maybe I wouldn’t have played it because it’s easier….

“I know Nicolò, I know how much he loves Cagliari, but he has to do his job, look for the Scudetto. That’s right. For sure, it won’t be easy, it’ll be in his head.”

Finally, Nainggolan discussed if he could’ve been there to help the team avoid relegation.

“Well, they decided that. I was looking forward to staying, but if you change the plan at the last minute, then bye-bye. It burns me because I was true to my word, but now I want them to be saved.”

Probable line-ups: Milan-Atalanta and Cagliari-Inter

League leaders Milan could secure the Scudetto with a win over Atalanta today if second place challengers Inter don’t win away against relegation candidates Cagliari.

The match between Milan and Atalanta kicks off at 17.00 UK time, with the game between Cagliari and Inter kicking off later at 19.45.

Stefano Pioli has a healthy Milan squad available to him for this evening’s tense clash as only Simon Kjaer is unavailable due to injury.

Gian Piero Gasperini has to deal with a few more injuries for the match; Giuseppe Pezzella, Josip Ilicic and Rafael Toloi are all unavailable for Atalanta.

Looking over to Sardinia, Nahitan Nandez has been ruled out for Cagliari’s match against Inter due to a thigh problem. Boris Radunović is also unavailable due to suspension.

Simone Inzaghi will be feeling prepared for the must-win battle in Sardinia, with only Matias Vecino sidelined with injury.

Probable line-ups

Milan vs Atalanta:

Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Tonali, Bennacer; Messias, Kessié, Leao; Giroud.

Atalanta (3-4-1-2): Musso; Djimsiti, Demiral, Palomino; Hateboer, de Roon, Freuler, Zappacosta; Pasalic, Koopmeiners; Muriel.

Cagliari vs Inter:

Cagliari (3-5-2): Cragno; Ceppitelli, Lovato, Altare; Bellanova, Marin, Grassi, Rog, Lykogiannis; Joao Pedro, Pavoletti.

Inter (3-5-2): Handanovic; Skriniar, de Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Perisic; Dzeko, Lautaro.

Probable line-ups: Milan-Atalanta and Cagliari-Inter

League leaders Milan could secure the Scudetto with a win over Atalanta today if second place challengers Inter don’t win away against relegation candidates Cagliari.

The match between Milan and Atalanta kicks off at 17.00 UK time, with the game between Cagliari and Inter kicking off later at 19.45.

Stefano Pioli has a healthy Milan squad available to him for this evening’s tense clash as only Simon Kjaer is unavailable due to injury.

Gian Piero Gasperini has to deal with a few more injuries for the match; Giuseppe Pezzella, Josip Ilicic and Rafael Toloi are all unavailable for Atalanta.

Looking over to Sardinia, Nahitan Nandez has been ruled out for Cagliari’s match against Inter due to a thigh problem. Boris Radunović is also unavailable due to suspension.

Simone Inzaghi will be feeling prepared for the must-win battle in Sardinia, with only Matias Vecino sidelined with injury.

Probable line-ups

Milan vs Atalanta:

Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Tonali, Bennacer; Messias, Kessié, Leao; Giroud.

Atalanta (3-4-1-2): Musso; Djimsiti, Demiral, Palomino; Hateboer, de Roon, Freuler, Zappacosta; Pasalic, Koopmeiners; Muriel.

Cagliari vs Inter:

Cagliari (3-5-2): Cragno; Ceppitelli, Lovato, Altare; Bellanova, Marin, Grassi, Rog, Lykogiannis; Joao Pedro, Pavoletti.

Inter (3-5-2): Handanovic; Skriniar, de Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Perisic; Dzeko, Lautaro.

Probable line-ups: Milan-Atalanta and Cagliari-Inter

League leaders Milan could secure the Scudetto with a win over Atalanta today if second place challengers Inter don’t win away against relegation candidates Cagliari.

The match between Milan and Atalanta kicks off at 17.00 UK time, with the game between Cagliari and Inter kicking off later at 19.45.

Stefano Pioli has a healthy Milan squad available to him for this evening’s tense clash as only Simon Kjaer is unavailable due to injury.

Gian Piero Gasperini has to deal with a few more injuries for the match; Giuseppe Pezzella, Josip Ilicic and Rafael Toloi are all unavailable for Atalanta.

Looking over to Sardinia, Nahitan Nandez has been ruled out for Cagliari’s match against Inter due to a thigh problem. Boris Radunović is also unavailable due to suspension.

Simone Inzaghi will be feeling prepared for the must-win battle in Sardinia, with only Matias Vecino sidelined with injury.

Probable line-ups

Milan vs Atalanta:

Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Tonali, Bennacer; Messias, Kessié, Leao; Giroud.

Atalanta (3-4-1-2): Musso; Djimsiti, Demiral, Palomino; Hateboer, de Roon, Freuler, Zappacosta; Pasalic, Koopmeiners; Muriel.

Cagliari vs Inter:

Cagliari (3-5-2): Cragno; Ceppitelli, Lovato, Altare; Bellanova, Marin, Grassi, Rog, Lykogiannis; Joao Pedro, Pavoletti.

Inter (3-5-2): Handanovic; Skriniar, de Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Perisic; Dzeko, Lautaro.

Reports Arsenal beat Napoli and Milan to Bologna left-back Hickey

Arsenal have agreed terms with Bologna to sign 19-year-old Scotland international left-back Aaron Hickey for circa €25m, claim reports in Italy.

It was no secret that the Gunners were targeting the teenage sensation who has scored five Serie A goals this season.

Napoli, Milan and others were also keeping track of Hickey and preparing for a summer bid.

However, according to CalcioNapoli24, Bologna director Riccardo Bigon flew to London this weekend and was able to negotiate basic terms for a transfer.

It would be a move worth in the region of €20-25m, depending on various performance-related bonuses.

The clubs already have a strong rapport thanks to Arsenal signing Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna last summer for €18.6m plus add-ons.

It was a huge profit for the Rossoblu, who had paid just €7m to sign the Japan international from VV Sint-Truiden just two years earlier.

Hickey will turn 20 next month and was snapped up from Hearts for €1.7m in September 2020, so would represent an even quicker and more profitable turnaround for Bologna.

Reports Arsenal beat Napoli and Milan to Bologna left-back Hickey

Arsenal have agreed terms with Bologna to sign 19-year-old Scotland international left-back Aaron Hickey for circa €25m, claim reports in Italy.

It was no secret that the Gunners were targeting the teenage sensation who has scored five Serie A goals this season.

Napoli, Milan and others were also keeping track of Hickey and preparing for a summer bid.

However, according to CalcioNapoli24, Bologna director Riccardo Bigon flew to London this weekend and was able to negotiate basic terms for a transfer.

It would be a move worth in the region of €20-25m, depending on various performance-related bonuses.

The clubs already have a strong rapport thanks to Arsenal signing Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna last summer for €18.6m plus add-ons.

It was a huge profit for the Rossoblu, who had paid just €7m to sign the Japan international from VV Sint-Truiden just two years earlier.

Hickey will turn 20 next month and was snapped up from Hearts for €1.7m in September 2020, so would represent an even quicker and more profitable turnaround for Bologna.

Reports Arsenal beat Napoli and Milan to Bologna left-back Hickey

Arsenal have agreed terms with Bologna to sign 19-year-old Scotland international left-back Aaron Hickey for circa €25m, claim reports in Italy.

It was no secret that the Gunners were targeting the teenage sensation who has scored five Serie A goals this season.

Napoli, Milan and others were also keeping track of Hickey and preparing for a summer bid.

However, according to CalcioNapoli24, Bologna director Riccardo Bigon flew to London this weekend and was able to negotiate basic terms for a transfer.

It would be a move worth in the region of €20-25m, depending on various performance-related bonuses.

The clubs already have a strong rapport thanks to Arsenal signing Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna last summer for €18.6m plus add-ons.

It was a huge profit for the Rossoblu, who had paid just €7m to sign the Japan international from VV Sint-Truiden just two years earlier.

Hickey will turn 20 next month and was snapped up from Hearts for €1.7m in September 2020, so would represent an even quicker and more profitable turnaround for Bologna.

Reports Arsenal beat Napoli and Milan to Bologna left-back Hickey

Arsenal have agreed terms with Bologna to sign 19-year-old Scotland international left-back Aaron Hickey for circa €25m, claim reports in Italy.

It was no secret that the Gunners were targeting the teenage sensation who has scored five Serie A goals this season.

Napoli, Milan and others were also keeping track of Hickey and preparing for a summer bid.

However, according to CalcioNapoli24, Bologna director Riccardo Bigon flew to London this weekend and was able to negotiate basic terms for a transfer.

It would be a move worth in the region of €20-25m, depending on various performance-related bonuses.

The clubs already have a strong rapport thanks to Arsenal signing Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna last summer for €18.6m plus add-ons.

It was a huge profit for the Rossoblu, who had paid just €7m to sign the Japan international from VV Sint-Truiden just two years earlier.

Hickey will turn 20 next month and was snapped up from Hearts for €1.7m in September 2020, so would represent an even quicker and more profitable turnaround for Bologna.